Utility of Conventional Electrocardiographic Criteria in Patients With Idiopathic Ventricular Tachycardia.

Objectives: This study sought to determine the ability of conventional electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria to correctly differentiate idiopathic ventricular tachycardia (VT) from supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with aberrancy.

Background: Previously reported VT ECG criteria were developed from cohorts of patients with structural heart disease and have not been applied to patients with idiopathic VT.

Methods: ECGs of 115 idiopathic VTs, 101 post-myocardial infarction (MI) VTs, and 111 wide QRS SVTs were analyzed using standard criteria.

Permanent His-bundle pacing: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Permanent cardiac pacing of the His-bundle restores and retains normal electrical activation of the ventricles. Data on His-bundle pacing (HBP) are largely limited to small single-centre reports, and clinical benefits and risks have not been systematically examined. We sought to systematically examine published studies of patients undergoing permanent HBP and quantify the benefits and risks of the therapy.

SETDB2 Links E2A-PBX1 to Cell-Cycle Dysregulation in Acute Leukemia through CDKN2C Repression.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, necessitating further improvements in diagnosis and therapy. Targeted therapies directed against chromatin regulators are emerging as promising approaches in preclinical studies and early clinical trials. Here, we demonstrate an oncogenic role for the protein lysine methyltransferase SETDB2 in leukemia pathogenesis.

Ondansetron blocks wild-type and p.F503L variant small-conductance Ca-activated K channels.

Apamin-sensitive small-conductance Ca-activated K (SK) current ( I) is encoded by Ca-activated K channel subfamily N ( KCNN) genes. I importantly contributes to cardiac repolarization in conditions associated with reduced repolarization reserve. To test the hypothesis that I inhibition contributes to drug-induced long QT syndrome (diLQTS), we screened for KCNN variants among patients with diLQTS, determined the properties of heterologously expressed wild-type (WT) and variant KCNN channels, and determined if the 5-HT receptor antagonist ondansetron blocks I.

Antiarrhythmic effects of stimulating the left dorsal branch of the thoracic nerve in a canine model of paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias.

Background: Stellate ganglion nerve activity (SGNA) precedes paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmia (PAT) episodes in dogs with intermittent rapid left atrial (LA) pacing. The left dorsal branch of the thoracic nerve (LDTN) contains sympathetic nerves originating from the stellate ganglia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that high-frequency electrical stimulation of the LDTN can cause stellate ganglia damage and suppress PATs.

Serum albumin concentration as an independent prognostic indicator in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Serum albumin is a strong prognostic indicator for many disease processes, yet limited data exist regarding its prognostic relationship in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Our study aims to assess the relationship of hypoalbuminemia with disease severity and mortality in this population.

Hypothesis: Serum albumin concentrations are a predictor of outcomes in PAH.

Cigarette Smoking Impairs Adipose Stromal Cell Vasculogenic Activity and Abrogates Potency to Ameliorate Ischemia.

Cigarette smoking (CS) adversely affects the physiologic function of endothelial progenitor, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. However, the effect of CS on the ability of adipose stem/stromal cells (ASC) to promote vasculogenesis and rescue perfusion in the context of ischemia is unknown. To evaluate this, ASC from nonsmokers (nCS-ASC) and smokers (CS-ASC), and their activity to promote perfusion in hindlimb ischemia models, as well as endothelial cell (EC) survival and vascular morphogenesis in vitro were assessed.

Genetic analyses in a bonobo (Pan paniscus) with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disorder that may lead to sudden death and can affect humans and other primates. In 2012, the alpha male bonobo of the Milwaukee County Zoo died suddenly and histologic evaluation found features of ARVC. This study sought to discover a possible genetic cause for ARVC in this individual.

Oscillatory behavior of P wave duration and PR interval in experimental congestive heart failure: a preliminary study.

Objective: The relationship between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulation of the sinus node and heart rate variability has been extensively investigated. The current study sought to evaluate, in an animal experimental model of pacing-induced tachycardia congestive heart failure (CHF), a possible ANS influence on the P wave duration and PR interval oscillations.

Approach: Short-term (5 min) time and frequency domain analysis has been obtained in six dogs for the following electrocardiographic intervals: P wave duration (P), from the onset to peak of P wave (P ), from the onset of P wave to the q onset (PR) and from the end of P wave to the onset of q wave (P R).

Role of apamin-sensitive small conductance calcium-activated potassium currents in long-term cardiac memory in rabbits.

Background: Apamin-sensitive small conductance calcium-activated K current (I) is up-regulated during ventricular pacing and masks short-term cardiac memory (CM).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of I in long-term CM.

Methods: CM was created with 3-5 weeks of ventricular pacing and defined by a flat or inverted T wave off pacing.

Adaptation and validation of the ACMG/AMP variant classification framework for MYH7-associated inherited cardiomyopathies: recommendations by ClinGen's Inherited Cardiomyopathy Expert Panel.

PurposeIntegrating genomic sequencing in clinical care requires standardization of variant interpretation practices. The Clinical Genome Resource has established expert panels to adapt the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology classification framework for specific genes and diseases. The Cardiomyopathy Expert Panel selected MYH7, a key contributor to inherited cardiomyopathies, as a pilot gene to develop a broadly applicable approach.

Multisite Investigation of Strategies for the Implementation of CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy.

CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy following percutaneous coronary intervention is increasingly implemented in clinical practice. However, challenges such as selecting a testing platform, communicating test results, building clinical decision support processes, providing patient and provider education, and integrating methods to support the translation of emerging evidence to clinical practice are barriers to broad adoption. In this report, we compare and contrast implementation strategies of 12 early adopters, describing solutions to common problems and initial performance metrics for each program.

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Paraplegia: Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes.

Background: Cardiovascular disease has become a leading cause of death for patients with paraplegia. Acute myocardial infarction in patients with paraplegia has not been described in the literature. This study investigates clinical features, management strategies, and outcomes of these patients.

Clinical Cardiovascular Genetic Counselors Take a Leading Role in Team-based Variant Classification.

We sought to delineate the genetic test review and interpretation practices of clinical cardiovascular genetic counselors. A one-time anonymous online survey was taken by 46 clinical cardiovascular genetic counselors recruited through the National Society of Genetic Counselors Cardiovascular Special Interest Group. Nearly all (95.

Permanent His bundle pacing: Recommendations from a Multicenter His Bundle Pacing Collaborative Working Group for standardization of definitions, implant measurements, and follow-up.

His bundle pacing (HBP) prevents ventricular dyssynchrony and its long-term consequences by preserving normal electrical activation of the ventricles. Since the original description of permanent HBP in 2000, the adoption of HBP has increased over the past several years. However, the reporting of procedural and clinical outcomes to date is not uniform.

Multisite Investigation of Outcomes With Implementation of CYP2C19 Genotype-Guided Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Objectives: This multicenter pragmatic investigation assessed outcomes following clinical implementation of CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background: CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles impair clopidogrel effectiveness after PCI.

Methods: After clinical genotyping, each institution recommended alternative antiplatelet therapy (prasugrel, ticagrelor) in PCI patients with a loss-of-function allele.

Increased serum lysyl oxidase-like 2 levels correlate with the degree of left atrial fibrosis in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) progression is generally accompanied by increased atrial fibrosis and atrial structural remodeling. Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is known to play an important role in many fibrotic conditions, including cardiac fibrosis. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between serum LOXL2 levels and AF.

Long-term intermittent high-amplitude subcutaneous nerve stimulation reduces sympathetic tone in ambulatory dogs.

Background: Reducing sympathetic efferent outflow from the stellate ganglia (SG) may be antiarrhythmic.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that chronic thoracic subcutaneous nerve stimulation (ScNS) could reduce SG nerve activity (SGNA) and control paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT).

Methods: Thoracic ScNS was performed in 8 dogs while SGNA, vagal nerve activity (VNA), and subcutaneous nerve activity (ScNA) were monitored.

Fusion of Anthopleurin-B to AAV2 increases specificity of cardiac gene transfer.

AAV-mediated gene therapy has become a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic diseases. Its clinical utilization, however, is limited by the potential risk of off-target effects. In this work we attempt to overcome this challenge, hypothesizing that cardiac ion channel-specific ligands could be fused onto the AAV capsid, and narrow its tropism to cardiac myocytes.

Permanent His-bundle pacing as an alternative to biventricular pacing for cardiac resynchronization therapy: A multicenter experience.

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) using biventricular pacing (BVP) is effective in patients with heart failure, bundle branch block (BBB), or right ventricular pacing. Permanent His-bundle pacing (HBP) has been reported as an alternative option for CRT.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcomes of HBP in CRT eligible or failed patients.

Hypoxia-induced activin A diminishes endothelial cell vasculogenic activity.

Acute ischaemia causes a significant loss of blood vessels leading to deterioration of organ function. Multiple ischaemic conditions are associated with up-regulation of activin A, but its effect on endothelial cells (EC) in the context of hypoxia is understudied. This study evaluated the role of activin A in vasculogenesis in hypoxia.

Ganglionated plexi as neuromodulation targets for atrial fibrillation.

The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the genesis of atrial fibrillation and is one of the candidate targets for atrial fibrillation therapy. This review focuses on the role of the autonomic nervous system in atrial fibrillation development and discusses the results of the ganglionated plexi catheter and surgical ablation in preclinical and clinical studies. The heart is innervated by the extrinsic and intrinsic autonomic nervous systems.

Left cervical vagal nerve stimulation reduces skin sympathetic nerve activity in patients with drug resistant epilepsy.

Background: We recently reported that skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA) can be used to estimate sympathetic tone in humans. In animal models, vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) can damage the stellate ganglion, reduce stellate ganglion nerve activity, and suppress cardiac arrhythmia. Whether VNS can suppress sympathetic tone in humans remains unclear.